Tiram candidate Dr Harith bets on Bersama's promise of people-powered politics
His decision to leave a successful career in medicine and finance to venture into politics was rooted in his belief that meaningful change requires sacrifice.
JOHOR BAHRU - A desire to be part of a different kind of politics, one that empowers ordinary Malaysians rather than political elites, was what drove doctor-turned-businessman Dr Harith Fakhrudin Abdul Malek to join the newly formed party Bersama.
The Tiram candidate said he was attracted by the party's promise of creating a fresh political culture and a party structure that allows ordinary people to participate meaningfully in politics.
"I came into this because of what Bersama promised me. The structure of the party, the opportunities and the consistency of its leaders are something new.
"The idea is that if we come together as ordinary people, we can make a difference. This is what I have been dreaming of.
"I want to make this country better for the next generation, especially for my children," he told Sinar Daily.
Bersama, led by former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, is making its electoral debut in the Johor state election by fielding 15 candidates.
Dr Harith said the new party's leaders have remained consistent in their political principles over the years and have shown a willingness to sacrifice positions and perks for the sake of reform.
"These two things brought me into Bersama and I think it will be worthwhile to sacrifice my energy and time for the ideals of the party and to really bring a difference in politics," he said.
Asked about how Bersama could assure voters that it would not eventually become like other political parties that promised reforms but failed to deliver, Harith said no political party could offer guarantees.
"What people can see is that we started differently. Many parties promise to be different but their structures remain the same. Structure is very important because it determines how a party will be run in the future," he added.
He said Bersama's leadership and internal framework were designed to encourage accountability and ensure that politics remains centred on the people.
Dr Harith said his decision to leave a successful career in medicine and finance to venture into politics was rooted in his belief that meaningful change requires sacrifice.
"When I go home at night and I can sleep well, it means I am doing the right thing.
"If you're not doing the right thing for yourself or for other people, deep down in your heart, you will feel unhappy. For me, that's how I define success," he said.
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